Bank of America Plaza,Atlanta City Hall, the historic Fox Theater and 21 other buildings have joined The Atlanta Better Buildings Challenge, part of a national initiative to reduce energy and water consumption in Atlanta’s commercial buildings.

The list of new buildings includes the city’s best-known landmarks as well as buildings that are integral to the way city residents work, live and play. Bank of America Plaza is the tallest building in the Southeastern U.S. as well a focal point in the Downtown Atlanta skyline.

With these additions, total participation in the Atlanta BBC climbs to 70 buildings and more than 48 million square feet.

“When the Atlanta business community recognizes a good thing and gets involved, the entire city wins,” said Mayor Kasim Reed. “And this Better Buildings Challenge is no exception. The property managers of the city’s best in class office, apartment and retail centers have taken an active role in helping Atlanta meet this challenge, and I couldn’t be more pleased. We are on track to make Atlanta a top-tier sustainable city."

“Participating in the Atlanta Better Buildings Challenge offers us a pathway to ensuring Bank of America Plaza remains one of the top office properties in the city,” said Doug Jung, Asset Manager of CW Capital Asset Management, which manages the building. “We believe that blue chip tenants are drawn to well-run buildings that keep their operating and utility costs low. Accepting the Better Buildings Challenge and its goals helps us do that.”

The Mayor’s Office of Sustainability in partnership with Central Atlanta Progress and other leading business and community organizations launched the Atlanta Better Buildings Challenge in November 2011 with the goal of reducing energy and water consumption in 48 million square feet of commercial space by 20 percent by 2020. Atlanta was one of the first cities to join the national initiative, which now includes more than 30 states and municipalities.

“We are excited that these buildings and their property managers have joined this effort to pursue significant reductions in their water and energy consumption,” said Lauren Dufort, Director of Sustainability for Central Atlanta Progress. “Energy and water efficiency lowers the cost of operating buildings, which frees up capital that can be re-invested in helping businesses grow.”

The new buildings that have taken the Atlanta Better Buildings Challenge include: